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Gerald Lowther, O.D., Ph.D., and Andrya LowtherComing Home to Make a Gift

Gerald Lowther, O.D., Ph.D., and Andrya Lowther

Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Lowther and his wife Andrya recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by their family, but it was a frog that first brought them together. “We met during a frog dissection in our zoology lab while we were both students at Ohio State,” said Andrya. “Who knew the smell of formaldehyde could be so romantic.”

As first-generation college students, Jerry and Andrya are grateful for the opportunities that an Ohio State education gave them. Andrya earned a master’s of arts in education and Jerry earned a doctor of optometry and doctor of philosophy. Jerry enjoyed a long career in academia and retired as dean of the School of Optometry at Indiana University.

Even though their careers took them many places, they never forgot the education they received at Ohio State. “Our lives would have been very different if we did not attend Ohio State,” said Andrya. “We came home to make a gift to the place that gave us so much.”

The Lowthers understand the burden that student loans can create for students. Their goal is to ease this burden for optometry students at Ohio State. “I saw firsthand the impact that scholarships have on students,” said Jerry. “We want to help students gain the full academic experience without worrying about how they are going to pay for it.”

After learning more about their giving options, they decided that a charitable gift annuity (CGA) was the best fit for them. “The CGA allows us to earn additional fixed income and help future students realize their dreams,” said Jerry. “For us, it was the perfect winning combination.”